Chapter

FAMILY COURT DIVISION

O.C.G.A. § 15-11-1— Purpose of chapter
O.C.G.A. § 15-11-2— (See Editor’s notes.) Definitions
O.C.G.A. § 15-11-3— Direct calendaring
O.C.G.A. § 15-11-5— Computations of time
O.C.G.A. § 15-11-6— Computation of age
O.C.G.A. § 15-11-7— Court of inquiry
O.C.G.A. § 15-11-8— Court of record
O.C.G.A. § 15-11-9— Authority to issue arrest warrants
O.C.G.A. § 15-11-10— Exclusive original jurisdiction
O.C.G.A. § 15-11-11— Concurrent jurisdiction
O.C.G.A. § 15-11-12— Dual designation of children; consolidation of proceedings; time limitations
O.C.G.A. § 15-11-13— Appointment of guardian or conservator
O.C.G.A. § 15-11-14— Transfers from probate court
O.C.G.A. § 15-11-15— The goal of a family treatment court division is to:
O.C.G.A. § 15-11-16— Commencement of proceedings
O.C.G.A. § 15-11-17— Conduct of hearings generally; applicability of Title 24, (a) All hearings under this chapter shall be conducted by the court without a jury
O.C.G.A. § 15-11-18— Subpoenas; application of Title 24
O.C.G.A. § 15-11-19— Rights of parties to proceedings
O.C.G.A. § 15-11-20— Referral for mediation
O.C.G.A. § 15-11-21— Selection and appointment of mediator
O.C.G.A. § 15-11-22— Agreement to mediate; procedure
O.C.G.A. § 15-11-23— Stay of proceeding pending mediation; time limitations
O.C.G.A. § 15-11-24— Termination of mediation
O.C.G.A. § 15-11-25— Approval of mediation agreements; exceptions
O.C.G.A. § 15-11-26— Best interests of child
O.C.G.A. § 15-11-27— Physical and mental examinations
O.C.G.A. § 15-11-28— Privilege against self-incrimination
O.C.G.A. § 15-11-29— Protective orders
O.C.G.A. § 15-11-29.1— Parental accountability; court orders; enforcement
O.C.G.A. § 15-11-30— Rights and duties of legal custodian
O.C.G.A. § 15-11-31— Contempt powers; other sanctions
O.C.G.A. § 15-11-32— Modification or vacation of orders; retroactive appli- cation
O.C.G.A. § 15-11-33— Transfer when disposition incorporates reunification plan and parents reside in different counties
O.C.G.A. § 15-11-34— Commitment to adult correctional facility prohibited
O.C.G.A. § 15-11-35— Appeals
O.C.G.A. § 15-11-36— Expenses charged to court order
O.C.G.A. § 15-11-37— Supervision fees
O.C.G.A. § 15-11-38— Community based risk reduction programs
O.C.G.A. § 15-11-39— Risk assessments or risk and needs assessments; case plans; issuance of orders
O.C.G.A. § 15-11-40— Information sharing; confidentiality
O.C.G.A. § 15-11-41— Compliance with privacy laws
O.C.G.A. § 15-11-50— Creation of juvenile courts; appointment of judges
O.C.G.A. § 15-11-51— Qualification of judges
O.C.G.A. § 15-11-52— Terms and compensation of judges
O.C.G.A. § 15-11-53— Practice of law by judges
O.C.G.A. § 15-11-54— Administration and expenses of juvenile courts
O.C.G.A. § 15-11-55— Applicability of local laws
O.C.G.A. § 15-11-56— Simultaneous service by judges
O.C.G.A. § 15-11-57— Commissioning of juvenile court judges; appointment of associate juvenile court judges
O.C.G.A. § 15-11-58— Council of Juvenile Court Judges; role; director
O.C.G.A. § 15-11-59— Educational seminars
O.C.G.A. § 15-11-60— Associate juvenile court judges; qualifications
O.C.G.A. § 15-11-61— Associate juvenile court traffic judges
O.C.G.A. § 15-11-62— Pro tempore juvenile court judges
O.C.G.A. § 15-11-63— Clerks and other personnel
O.C.G.A. § 15-11-64— Collection of information by juvenile court clerks; reporting requirement; data collection
O.C.G.A. § 15-11-65— Training requirements for juvenile court clerks
O.C.G.A. § 15-11-66— Appointment and salaries of probation and intake officers
O.C.G.A. § 15-11-67— Duties of probation or community supervision officers
O.C.G.A. § 15-11-68— Duties of juvenile court intake officers; training
O.C.G.A. § 15-11-69— Transfer of probation and intake services and employees to Department of Juvenile Justice
O.C.G.A. § 15-11-100— Purpose of article
O.C.G.A. § 15-11-100.1— Exemption when governed by Indian Child Welfare Act
O.C.G.A. § 15-11-101— Medical and psychological evaluation orders when investigating child abuse and neglect
O.C.G.A. § 15-11-102— Dependency case time limitations
O.C.G.A. § 15-11-103— Right to attorney
O.C.G.A. § 15-11-104— Appointment and removal of guardian ad litem; use of a CASA
O.C.G.A. § 15-11-105— Powers and duties of guardian ad litem
O.C.G.A. § 15-11-106— Participation of a CASA
O.C.G.A. § 15-11-107— Treatment by spiritual means; life-threatening condition or disability exception
O.C.G.A. § 15-11-108— Notice of postadjudication hearings to parties
O.C.G.A. § 15-11-109— (For effective date, see note.) Notice of hearings to specified nonparties
O.C.G.A. § 15-11-110— Continuance of a hearing in dependency proceedings
O.C.G.A. § 15-11-111— Court orders
O.C.G.A. § 15-11-112— Court ordered visitation
O.C.G.A. § 15-11-113— Date child is considered to have entered foster care
O.C.G.A. § 15-11-125— Venue
O.C.G.A. § 15-11-130— Emergency care and supervision of child without court order; immunity
O.C.G.A. § 15-11-130.1— Referral to victim assistance organizations of child suspected of being a victim of sexual exploitation or trafficking
O.C.G.A. § 15-11-131— Temporary protective custody of child by physician without court order and without parental consent; immunity
O.C.G.A. § 15-11-132— Verbal custody order
O.C.G.A. § 15-11-133— Removal of child from the home; protective custody; consideration of alternatives
O.C.G.A. § 15-11-133.1— Temporary alternatives to foster care; orders; minimal preliminary assessments; preliminary protective hearing; time for hearings
O.C.G.A. § 15-11-134— Required findings justifying removal from the home
O.C.G.A. § 15-11-135— Placement in eligible foster care
O.C.G.A. § 15-11-145— Preliminary protective hearing requirements
O.C.G.A. § 15-11-146— Preliminary protective hearing; findings
O.C.G.A. § 15-11-150— Authority to file petition
O.C.G.A. § 15-11-151— Time limitations for filing petition
O.C.G.A. § 15-11-152— Contents of petition
O.C.G.A. § 15-11-153— Amendment of petition
O.C.G.A. § 15-11-160— Issuance of summons
O.C.G.A. § 15-11-161— Service of summons
O.C.G.A. § 15-11-162— Sanctions for failure to obey summons
O.C.G.A. § 15-11-163— Interlocutory order parent and counsel, the child’s parent impliedly may waive service of a summons on a chilď’s behalf by voluntary appearance at a hearing without objection to lack of service
O.C.G.A. § 15-11-170— Discovery
O.C.G.A. § 15-11-180— Standard of proof
O.C.G.A. § 15-11-181— Adjudication hearing
O.C.G.A. § 15-11-190— Social study
O.C.G.A. § 15-11-191— Contents of social study
O.C.G.A. § 15-11-200— DFCS report; case plan
O.C.G.A. § 15-11-201— DFCS case plan; contents
O.C.G.A. § 15-11-202— Reasonable efforts by DFCS to preserve or reunify families
O.C.G.A. § 15-11-203— When reasonable efforts by DFCS not required
O.C.G.A. § 15-11-204— Nonreunification hearing
O.C.G.A. § 15-11-210— Disposition hearing
O.C.G.A. § 15-11-211— Relative search by DFCS
O.C.G.A. § 15-11-212— Disposition of dependent child
O.C.G.A. § 15-11-213— Disposition orders; considerations
O.C.G.A. § 15-11-214— Duration of disposition orders
O.C.G.A. § 15-11-215— (For effective date, see note.) Notice of change in placement hearings; presumptions
O.C.G.A. § 15-11-216— Periodic review hearing; required evidence
O.C.G.A. § 15-11-217— Periodic review by judicial citizen review panel
O.C.G.A. § 15-11-218— Content of orders following periodic review hearings or reports by judicial citizen review panels
O.C.G.A. § 15-11-219— Required findings for qualified residential treatment program admittance; assessment procedures; writing requirement
O.C.G.A. § 15-11-220— Required findings after placement in qualified residential treatment program; documentation
O.C.G.A. § 15-11-230— Permanency plan hearing
O.C.G.A. § 15-11-231— Permanency plan report
O.C.G.A. § 15-11-232— Permanency plan hearing; findings
O.C.G.A. § 15-11-233— Termination of parental rights; exceptions
O.C.G.A. § 15-11-240— Appointment of permanent guardian; jurisdiction; findings
O.C.G.A. § 15-11-241— Petition for permanent guardian
O.C.G.A. § 15-11-242— Effect of guardianship order
O.C.G.A. § 15-11-243— Notice and permanent guardianship hearing
O.C.G.A. § 15-11-244— Modification of permanent guardianship order
O.C.G.A. § 15-11-260— Purpose of article
O.C.G.A. § 15-11-260.1— Exemption when governed by Indian Child Welfare Act
O.C.G.A. § 15-11-261— Scope, effect, and duration of order terminating parental rights
O.C.G.A. § 15-11-262— Right to attorney and appointment of guardian ad litem
O.C.G.A. § 15-11-263— Physical and mental examinations
O.C.G.A. § 15-11-264— Discovery
O.C.G.A. § 15-11-265— Suspension of right of voluntary surrender of parental rights
O.C.G.A. § 15-11-270— Venue
O.C.G.A. § 15-11-280— Petition; style; contents; putative fathers
O.C.G.A. § 15-11-281— Issuance of summons
O.C.G.A. § 15-11-282— Service of summons
O.C.G.A. § 15-11-283— Notice to father
O.C.G.A. § 15-11-284— Notice of effect of termination judgment
O.C.G.A. § 15-11-285— Sanctions for failure to obey summons
O.C.G.A. § 15-11-300— (For effective date, see note.) Notice of hearings to specified parties; required findings
O.C.G.A. § 15-11-301— Expedited hearings; orders
O.C.G.A. § 15-11-302— Confidentiality of testimony of parties
O.C.G.A. § 15-11-303— Standard of proof
O.C.G.A. § 15-11-304— Applicability of Title 24; privileges
O.C.G.A. § 15-11-310— Grounds for determining termination of parental rights
O.C.G.A. § 15-11-311— Determination of whether child is without proper parental care and control
O.C.G.A. § 15-11-320— (For effective date, see note.) Termination of parental rights; findings; standard of proof
O.C.G.A. § 15-11-321— Custody of child following termination proceedings or surrender of parental rights
O.C.G.A. § 15-11-322— Continuing court review when child not adopted
O.C.G.A. § 15-11-323— Reinstatement of parental rights; standard of proof
O.C.G.A. § 15-11-324— (Effective January 1, 2021) Testimony and evidence from foster parents, caregivers, and others
O.C.G.A. § 15-11-340— Criteria for receiving services; development of transition plan; termination
O.C.G.A. § 15-11-341— Written report to court; review hearing and findings
O.C.G.A. § 15-11-342— Determination of dates; periodic review hearings; role of DFCS in hearing and transition planning
O.C.G.A. § 15-11-380— Purpose of article
O.C.G.A. § 15-11-381— Definitions
O.C.G.A. § 15-11-390— Filing of complaint
O.C.G.A. § 15-11-400— Child in need of services; time limitations for continued custody or temporary custody hearings
O.C.G.A. § 15-11-401— Child in need of services; venue
O.C.G.A. § 15-11-402— Right to attorney and appointment of guardian ad litem
O.C.G.A. § 15-11-403— Continuance of a hearing in child in need of services proceedings
O.C.G.A. § 15-11-404— Case plan for a child alleged or found to be a child in need of services
O.C.G.A. § 15-11-405— Termination of proceedings relating to a runaway child
O.C.G.A. § 15-11-410— Taking a child into temporary custody
O.C.G.A. § 15-11-411— Temporary custody; time limitations
O.C.G.A. § 15-11-412— Temporary detention; place of custody
O.C.G.A. § 15-11-414— Continued custody hearing; findings
O.C.G.A. § 15-11-415— Detention decision; findings
O.C.G.A. § 15-11-420— Authority to file petition
O.C.G.A. § 15-11-421— Time limitations for filing petition
O.C.G.A. § 15-11-422— Content of petitions
O.C.G.A. § 15-11-423— Issuance of summons
O.C.G.A. § 15-11-424— Service of summons
O.C.G.A. § 15-11-425— Sanctions for failure to obey summons
O.C.G.A. § 15-11-440— Standard of proof
O.C.G.A. § 15-11-441— Adjudication hearing
O.C.G.A. § 15-11-442— Disposition hearing; time limitations; disposition of a child in need of services
O.C.G.A. § 15-11-443— Duration of disposition orders
O.C.G.A. § 15-11-444— Probation revocation
O.C.G.A. § 15-11-445— Disposition reviews; time limitations
O.C.G.A. § 15-11-450— Comprehensive services plan for child found unrestorably incompetent to proceed; plan manager
O.C.G.A. § 15-11-451— Hearing on mental health plan; time limitations
O.C.G.A. § 15-11-470— Purpose of article
O.C.G.A. § 15-11-471— Definitions
O.C.G.A. § 15-11-472— Delinquency case time limitations
O.C.G.A. § 15-11-473— Conduct of delinquency proceeding by prosecuting attorney; access to information
O.C.G.A. § 15-11-474— Parties in a delinquency proceeding; notice to DJJ
O.C.G.A. § 15-11-475— Right to attorney; waiver
O.C.G.A. § 15-11-476— Appointment of guardian ad litem
O.C.G.A. § 15-11-477— Orders for behavioral health evaluations
O.C.G.A. § 15-11-478— Continuance of a hearing in delinquency proceed- ings
O.C.G.A. § 15-11-479— Admissions to court personnel inadmissible; exceptions
O.C.G.A. § 15-11-480— When jeopardy attaches
O.C.G.A. § 15-11-481— Victim impact statement in delinquency proceed- ings
O.C.G.A. § 15-11-490— Venue; transfers between juvenile courts
O.C.G.A. § 15-11-500— Order to take child into immediate custody
O.C.G.A. § 15-11-501— Taking child into custody; notice to custodian; notification of prosecuting attorney
O.C.G.A. § 15-11-502— Procedure after taking child into custody; detention
O.C.G.A. § 15-11-503— Detention decision; findings
O.C.G.A. § 15-11-504— Place of detention; data on child detained
O.C.G.A. § 15-11-505— Use of detention assessments to determine if detention is warranted; “serious delinquent act” defined
O.C.G.A. § 15-11-506— Detention hearing; time limitations
O.C.G.A. § 15-11-507— (For effective date, see note.) Bail
O.C.G.A. § 15-11-508— Notification to victim of child’s release from deten- tion
O.C.G.A. § 15-11-510— Intake; informal adjustment
O.C.G.A. § 15-11-511— Arraignment; admissions at arraignment; right to attorney
O.C.G.A. § 15-11-515— Informal adjustment; circumstances; admissions; ex- ceptions
O.C.G.A. § 15-11-520— Authority to file petition
O.C.G.A. § 15-11-521— Time limitations for filing petition
O.C.G.A. § 15-11-522— Contents of petition
O.C.G.A. § 15-11-523— Amendment of petition
O.C.G.A. § 15-11-530— Issuance of summons
O.C.G.A. § 15-11-531— Service of summons
O.C.G.A. § 15-11-532— Sanctions for failure to obey summons
O.C.G.A. § 15-11-540— Motion for dismissal
O.C.G.A. § 15-11-541— Discovery procedures
O.C.G.A. § 15-11-542— Motion to compel discovery; limitations; sanctions
O.C.G.A. § 15-11-543— Notice of alibi defense
O.C.G.A. § 15-11-544— Continuing duty to disclose
O.C.G.A. § 15-11-545— Court discretion to order disclosure
O.C.G.A. § 15-11-546— Failure to comply with discovery request
O.C.G.A. § 15-11-560— Concurrent and original jurisdiction of superior court
O.C.G.A. § 15-11-561— Waiver of juvenile court jurisdiction and transfer to superior court
O.C.G.A. § 15-11-562— Transfer criteria; written report
O.C.G.A. § 15-11-563— Statements made at transfer hearing
O.C.G.A. § 15-11-564— Appeal of transfer order
O.C.G.A. § 15-11-565— Places authorized for detention of child before and after transfer order
O.C.G.A. § 15-11-566— Dismissal order upon transfer to superior court
O.C.G.A. § 15-11-567— Transfers to juvenile court
O.C.G.A. § 15-11-580— Admission or denial of the allegations of a petition
O.C.G.A. § 15-11-581— Standard of proof
O.C.G.A. § 15-11-582— Adjudication hearing; time limitations; findings
O.C.G.A. § 15-11-590— Predisposition investigation and report
O.C.G.A. § 15-11-600— Disposition hearing; time limitations; findings; evidence
O.C.G.A. § 15-11-601— Disposition of delinquent act
O.C.G.A. § 15-11-602— Disposition of class A or class B designated felony act
O.C.G.A. § 15-11-603— Disposition of child adjudged to have committed delinquent act constituting AIDS transmitting crime; HIV testing; reports
O.C.G.A. § 15-11-604— Credit for time served
O.C.G.A. § 15-11-605— Probation management programs or secure probation sanctions programs; violations of probation programs
O.C.G.A. § 15-11-606— Order of disposition not conviction of crime
O.C.G.A. § 15-11-607— Duration of disposition orders
O.C.G.A. § 15-11-608— Probation revocation; procedure
O.C.G.A. § 15-11-620— Calculating time when child is delinquent and dependent
O.C.G.A. § 15-11-621— Periodic review hearings for delinquent children in foster care or committed to the Department of Juvenile Justice
O.C.G.A. § 15-11-622— Permanency planning requirements; reasons for failure to terminate parental rights
O.C.G.A. § 15-11-623— Permanency plan; hearing, notice, report, and findings of fact when a child is committed to the Department of Juvenile Justice
O.C.G.A. § 15-11-630— “Child” defined; juvenile traffic offenses; summons; hearings; penalties; transfers; providing information to Department of Driver Services
O.C.G.A. § 15-11-650— Purpose of article
O.C.G.A. § 15-11-651— Definitions
O.C.G.A. § 15-11-652— Stay of proceedings regarding child who may not be mentally competent to stand trial; appointment of attorney; tolling of time periods
O.C.G.A. § 15-11-653— Evaluation of a child’s mental condition; procedures; written reports; additional evaluations
O.C.G.A. § 15-11-654— Transfer of proceedings
O.C.G.A. § 15-11-655— Mental competency hearing; burden of proof; notice; rights during hearing; procedure; findings
O.C.G.A. § 15-11-656— Disposition of incompetent child; competency remediation
O.C.G.A. § 15-11-657— Restoration to competency; remediation orders and reports
O.C.G.A. § 15-11-658— Disposition of a child found unrestorably incompetent to proceed
O.C.G.A. § 15-11-659— Court’s duty when child found unrestorably incompetent to proceed
O.C.G.A. § 15-11-660— Review hearings
O.C.G.A. § 15-11-680— Short title
O.C.G.A. § 15-11-681— Definitions
O.C.G.A. § 15-11-682— Parental notification of abortion; hearing; venue
O.C.G.A. § 15-11-683— Time and notice of hearing
O.C.G.A. § 15-11-684— Conduct of hearing; appeal
O.C.G.A. § 15-11-685— Applicability to nonresidents
O.C.G.A. § 15-11-686— Medical emergency
O.C.G.A. § 15-11-687— Immunity of health care provider acting in good faith
O.C.G.A. § 15-11-688— Penalty
O.C.G.A. § 15-11-700— Admission to hearings of general public and media
O.C.G.A. § 15-11-701— Sealing of files and records; hearings; limitations on disclosure; identity of victim
O.C.G.A. § 15-11-702— Children’s fingerprints, photographs, and names
O.C.G.A. § 15-11-703— Use of disposition and evidence
O.C.G.A. § 15-11-704— Public inspection of court files and records; use in subsequent juvenile or criminal prosecution
O.C.G.A. § 15-11-705— Child in need of services records; penalty for disclo- sure
O.C.G.A. § 15-11-706— Records for cases handled through informal adjustment, mediation, or other nonadjudicatory procedure; penalty for disclosure
O.C.G.A. § 15-11-707— Notice to school superintendent
O.C.G.A. § 15-11-708— Separation of juvenile and adult records for law enforcement; inspection; limited fingerprint access
O.C.G.A. § 15-11-709— Preservation and destruction of records; computer retrieval
O.C.G.A. § 15-11-710— Exchange of information
O.C.G.A. § 15-11-720— Conditions under which emancipation may occur
O.C.G.A. § 15-11-721— Petition requirements
O.C.G.A. § 15-11-722— Summons, answer, and time limitations
O.C.G.A. § 15-11-723— Appointment of attorney and guardian ad litem; affidavits of adults supporting emancipation
O.C.G.A. § 15-11-724— Standard of proof
O.C.G.A. § 15-11-725— Emancipation hearing; findings
O.C.G.A. § 15-11-726— Rescission of emancipation order
O.C.G.A. § 15-11-727— Rights of emancipated child; limitations of parental obligations
O.C.G.A. § 15-11-728— Duty to support; ability to marry
O.C.G.A. § 15-11-740— Short title; purpose
O.C.G.A. § 15-11-741— Definitions
O.C.G.A. § 15-11-742— Creation of the Office of Child Advocate for the Protection of Children; staff and personnel; contracts
O.C.G.A. § 15-11-743— Duties of advocate
O.C.G.A. § 15-11-744— Rights and powers of advocate; subpoena; judicial actions
O.C.G.A. § 15-11-745— Discrimination or retaliation prohibited against persons making complaints or providing information
O.C.G.A. § 15-11-746— Investigation of complaints
O.C.G.A. § 15-11-747— Child advocate advisory committee; membership; role of committee
O.C.G.A. § 15-11-4138— Continued custody hearing